As a security advisory was issued for the tourists and the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, asking them to leave the Valley as soon as possible, airfares for flights from Srinagar shot up to abnormally high levels with tickets for a two-hour flight costing as high as Rs 10,000.

Airfares for flights from Srinagar shot up to abnormally high levels after the J&K government's advisory. (Image: Pexels)

Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday asked all the airlines to control the airfares for the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims returning from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The development came a day after the J&K government asked the tourists and the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to leave the Kashmir Valley in view of the intelligence inputs' warning about terror attacks, specifically on the pilgrims.

As a security advisory was issued for the tourists and the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, asking them to leave the Valley as soon as possible, airfares for flights from Srinagar shot up to abnormally high levels with tickets for a two-hour flight costing as high as Rs 10,000.

For a one-way direct flight from Srinagar to Delhi, even low-cost airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir and AirAsia charged between Rs 10,000 to Rs 22,000, according to travel portals. The normal rates generally hover around Rs 3,000. Similarly, from Srinagar to Jammu, the flight rates were around Rs 16,000. Other places like Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jaipur also witnessed a jump in airfares ranging between Rs 10,000 to Rs 19,000.

As the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims complained of the high airfares, the Ministry of Civil Aviation tweeted that Hardeep Singh Puri has asked all the airlines to rein in the surging airfares for the pilgrims returning from Amarnath Yatra.

Hon'ble Minister for Civil Aviation Shri @HardeepSPuri has asked all the Airlines to rein in the surging Air Fares for pilgrims returning from Amarnath dham.

The country's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, had advised airlines on Friday to be ready to operate additional flights from the Srinagar airport if the need arises.

According to Airports Authority of India (AAI), 6,126 passengers reported at the Srinagar International Airport on Saturday to travel out of the valley.

Out of this, 5,829 passengers travelled by 32 scheduled flights. Remaining 387 passengers were accommodated in four IAF aircraft and flown to various destination like Jammu, Pathankot and Hindon.

The AAI said all passengers were flown out of the valley in a planned and systematic manner. The entire operation was conducted smoothly by AAI officials in close coordination with the IAF, J&K Police, CRPF, BSF, the airlines and state authorities, it said.

On Friday, the Indian Army, citing intelligence inputs, had said Pakistan-based terrorists were planning to target the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. The Army's disclosure prompted the Jammu and Kashmir administration to ask the yatris and tourists to curtail their stay in the Valley and leave immediately.